Man, 76, jailed after he hit neighbour with hammer

David Ackerley produced the weapon from a carrier bag and struck the victim to the head, police said

A man has been jailed after he hit his neighbour in the head with a claw hammer after a dispute "got out of hand".

Nottinghamshire Police said David Ackerley struck his victim - a man in his late 70s - in Hucknall on 8 August 2023.

The 76-year-old, now of John Street in Worksop, was found guilty by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm and making threats with an offensive weapon in a public place.

On Monday, he was jailed for two years and five months at Nottingham Crown Court.

'Neighbourhood dispute'

Police said Ackerley had been carrying the claw hammer in a carrier bag before attacking his neighbour, who needed treatment in hospital.

Det Insp Luke Waller said CCTV allowed officers "to piece together what happened" and disprove the defendant's denial about the incident.

"We believe these two men were involved in a neighbourhood dispute," he said.

"The disagreement got out of hand when Ackerley armed himself with a hammer and struck the victim to the head with the weapon.

"We are grateful to other neighbours for assisting the victim following the attack, and I hope they welcome our investigation and the outcome in court."